Abal*, a 32-year old refugee, lived in Kenya for four years. Abal’s elder brother was an active member of an opposition group in their country (which we will not name due to ongoing sensitivity). His family was constantly harassed and his father died after being detained. Abal himself was accused of conspiring against the government with Human Rights Watch, leading to his detention for seven months. During this time he was severely tortured. When he finally managed to escape, he fled to Kenya. He has not seen or spoken to his family since. “When I arrived in Kenya I met a refugee lady who housed me on her kitchen floor in one of Nairobi’s slums, Mlango Kubwa. But because I was a refugee, I repeatedly faced targeted attacks. I wanted to die.”
Due to the torture he had undergone in his country of origin, and the hopelessness he felt after arriving in a strange country, Abal slipped into depression. Eventually he attempted suicide, at which point his host asked him to leave her home or she would report him to the police. “That was when RefugePoint found me,” narrates Abal. Abal was referred for counseling by a RefugePoint Community Navigator and started attending as many sessions as he could. At the time he could only afford one meal a day, and so RefugePoint also provided food assistance. Once he was coping better, Abal was given a business start-up grant. He sold shoes during the day and in the evening he sold vegetables. He became one of RefugePoint’s most successful clients, able to afford his daily life and even put money aside for emergencies.
Abal has faced numerous hurdles in his pursuit of a stable life. He was briefly arrested and sent to Kakuma refugee camp and had his goods confiscated, forcing him to start his business again from scratch. He was robbed of his savings in 2014. However, with help from the counseling program Abal was able to hold onto a positive outlook on life. Abal was resettled to the U.S. and is now working towards becoming a nurse. As a hobby, Abal trains in long distance running; his dream is to one day wave the American flag in a marathon victory.
*Names changed for clients’ protection